Dropped Balls and Big Calls
Dropped Balls and Big Calls is a Podcast where we sit down with people from all walks of life to dig into the moments that shape us, the wins, the setbacks, and the wild decisions in between.
Every guest brings a turning point, a time they fell flat, took a risk, or faced a challenge that changed everything. We talk about what it taught them, how they bounced back, and what they’d say to someone standing in the middle of their own big moment right now.
No scripts, just honest, human conversations about the plays that make life what it is.
Listen on:
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Jason Beardsley is the founder of The Setback Collective and Podcast Host.
Located Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia.
I grew up in Christchurch, New Zealand, overweight, unsure of myself, and constantly chasing something I couldn't name. Music and sport were my escape. I picked up the drums at 13, was touring semi professionally by 16, and moved to Melbourne at 21 to chase the dream fulltime.
But life has a way of throwing curveballs, experiencing the trauma of the Christchurch Earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, I lost my best mate in tragic circumstances, walked away from music. I battled depression, regret, and the weight of feeling like I’d let something slip through my fingers. Eventually, I rebuilt, in Recruitment and Home Care, of all places. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was real and it had meaning. I found a new kind of purpose in helping people rewrite their stories. I became a father, started running Marathons and began raise money for Muscular Dystrophy Australia, I began clawing back parts of myself I thought I’d buried for good.That’s where Dropped Balls and Big Calls and The Setback Collective were born, out of a belief that we’re not defined by our highlight reels, but by the hardships we survive and our relationships with ourselves and others.
Outside of the Podcast, I am a Talent Acquisition leader, Musician, proud girl dad and marathon runner.
Episodes
Sunday Feb 22, 2026
Sunday Feb 22, 2026
Fifteen years ago, an ordinary summer day became one of the darkest moments in New Zealand’s history.
In this deeply personal tribute to his hometown of Christchurch, Jason Beardsley recounts where he was when the February 22, 2011 earthquake struck, the terrifying hours that followed, and the long years of aftershocks, uncertainty, and grief that reshaped a city and its people forever.
This episode explores:
• The reality of living through thousands of aftershocks• The hidden mental toll long after the cameras left• The loss of identity when landmarks and memories vanish• The extraordinary community spirit that carried the city forward• How a broken city rebuilt itself into something new
From liquefaction-covered streets to pop-up art installations, from fear to pride, this is the story of a city that refused to stay down.
Christchurch isn’t just a disaster story. It’s a resilience story.
Kia Ora Christchurch. Kia Kaha.
For more Dropped Balls and Big Calls, visit www.bigcallspod.com.au
Want to help our Podcast grow in 2026? Visit www.bigcallspod.com.au/support
#Droppedballsandbigcalls #bigcallspod #Christchurch #Earthquake #NZ #Disaster
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Dan Joyce has spent his life navigating trauma, care, responsibility and the quiet weight of burnout.
In this episode, Dan opens up about becoming a foster carer at a young age, and how working with trauma affected young people throughout his career reshaped his identity, empathy and view of the world.
We talk honestly about his childhood experiences, emotional exhaustion, the misunderstood reality of teenagers in care, and the moment Dan realised he needed to redesign his life before regret caught up with him.
This is a raw, thoughtful conversation about mental health, burnout, time, freedom and the courage it takes to choose a different path. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, trapped by responsibility, or worried about missing the good moments in life, this one will hit home.
For more, please visit www.bigcallspod.com.au
Want to support the Podcast and help us grow? Visit www.bigcallspod.com.au/support
#Bigcallspod #Burnout #trauma #fostercare #Socialwork
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Monday Jan 26, 2026
Thirteen and a half years ago, I crossed the ditch with a suitcase, and a dream.
Today, I became an Australian citizen.
This episode is about belonging.
I reflect on growing up in New Zealand, idolising Australia through sport, music and culture, surviving the Christchurch earthquakes, and starting again in Melbourne at 21 with no job, no network, and a lot of self doubt.
It’s a short story about rejection, growth, and the quiet moment you realise home isn’t where you were born. It’s where you’re built.
This is a thank you to my home, Australia.
For more, please visit www.bigcallspod.com.auWant to sponsor Dropped Balls and Big Calls in 2026? Visit www.bigcallspod.com.au/support
#Bigcallspod #Droppedballsandbigcalls #Home #Citizenship #Migration
Monday Jan 19, 2026
Monday Jan 19, 2026
January hits different.
The Christmas break gives you space to breathe, reflect, and ask the hard questions. Am I happy at work? Am I growing? Or am I just surviving until the next long weekend?
In Episode 17 of Dropped Balls & Big Calls, I’m joined by recruiter Mollie-May Bennett of Brightside Recruitment to pull back the curtain on the Australian job market in 2026, with a sharp focus on NDIS and aged care, candidate experience, and what employers are actually looking for right now. We talk honestly about the biggest mistakes jobseekers make, how to stand out without being cringe, why cultural fit often matters more than salary, and how tools like LinkedIn and AI are shaping hiring without replacing the human element.
If you’re thinking about a move, hungry for growth, or just sick of feeling stuck, this episode is packed with practical advice, straight talk, and a few uncomfortable truths that might save you months of frustration. Because finding the right role isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about trust, communication, and knowing what really matters.
For more, visit www.bigcallspod.com.au
Want to support the Podcast by becoming a sponsor? Visit https://www.bigcallspod.com.au/support
#bigcallspod #droppedballsandbigcalls #podcast #recruitment #jobsearch #jobseekers
Monday Jan 12, 2026
Monday Jan 12, 2026
If you think sprint car racing is just loud engines and late nights, think again.
In Episode 16 of Dropped Balls & Big Calls, I sit down with Matthew Leversedge, one of New Zealand’s most respected sprint car racers, to talk about what really powers a racing career. Spoiler alert: it’s not just horsepower and talent.
From starting out at five years old to navigating the brutal realities of sponsorships, pressure and mental health, Matthew opens up about the unseen side of motorsport and the resilience required to survive it.
This is a conversation about family, identity, mindset and doing things the right way, even when it would be easier not to.
Our new website is live! Check out www.bigcallspod.com.au
Want to help grow the Podcast? You can sponsor Dropped Balls and Big Calls today via one off or recurring payments. For more information, visit https://www.bigcallspod.com.au/bigcallssponsor
#bigcallspod #Droppedballsandbigcalls #podcast #interview #sprintcar
Monday Oct 20, 2025
Monday Oct 20, 2025
This week’s episode is a bit different. I’ve been feeling lost lately, so I went back to the words of my late mate, Kev.
Kev lived with muscular dystrophy, but he also lived with more accountability and perspective than most of us ever find. In this episode, I read his final blog and reflect on the lessons he left behind.
It’s a reminder to pay attention to our self-talk, own our choices, and live with purpose, even when life feels heavy.Read Kevin's blog here: Kevin's Blog:
Dropped Balls and Big Calls is a Podcast by The Setback Collective https://www.setbackcollective.com.au/#Bigcallspod #Droppedballsandbigcalls #kevinjefcoate #resilience #musculardystrophy #selftalk #mentalhealth #disability #thesetbackcollective
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
What would you do if your child’s life depended on it?
For Boris Struk, the answer was simple, everything. When his son Ryan was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Boris turned heartbreak into action, founding Muscular Dystrophy Australia and dedicating his life to creating change.
In this powerful conversation, Boris shares the story behind that fight: the speech that ignited a movement, the belief that “nothing is impossible,” and the extraordinary achievements that followed, from raising over $43 million to establishing a world-class research centre and running more than 100 family camps.
We also explore the deeply personal side of his journey, the love of a father, the grief of loss, and the resilience it takes to keep moving forward while building a legacy that continues to change lives.
This is more than a story about muscular dystrophy. It’s about hope, determination, and the power of believing that if you try, you might just get there.
Listen now and be inspired by what’s possible when love drives the mission.
Support Muscular Dystrophy Australia and help provide vital programs and services for Australians living with neuromuscular conditions: Donate to Muscular Dystrophy Australia
Explore Boris’s incredible photography: BMS PHOTOGRAPHY – Photography by Boris M Struk
Help us grow the Big Calls Pod so we can share more powerful stories. Visit Big Calls Big Shout | Join the Movement Today — The Setback Collective or email jason@bigcallspod.com.au. We'll donate 10% of all funds to charity.
#BigCallsPod #DroppedBallsAndBigCalls #MuscularDystrophy #Advocacy #Parenting #Resilience #RyanStruk #Fundraising #DisabilityAwareness #Community #BorisStruk #thesetbackcollective #NDIS #MuscularDystrophyAustralia
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
From the gritty reality of policing and counter-terrorism to the bright lights of Home and Away to building $200m business units, Michele Mattiuzzi’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and relentless work ethic.
In this deeply honest conversation, Michele opens up about his tough upbringing, the poverty that fueled his drive, and the lessons learned under pressure as part of the Australian Federal Police. He shares how those experiences shaped his decision-making, discipline, and mental resilience, skills that later helped him carve out a career as an actor and successful business leader.
We dive into the power of storytelling in sales, the harsh truths about burnout and mental health, and the pivotal role faith and community played in rebuilding his life. Michele also speaks candidly about the crisis of truth and authenticity in today’s world and why reconnecting with foundational values might be the most radical act of all.
Whether you’re navigating pressure, chasing reinvention, or searching for purpose, this episode is a powerful reminder that where you start never has to define where you finish.
Michele Matiuzzi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelemattiuzzi
Find us! - https://linktr.ee/bigcallspod
Dropped Balls and Big Calls is a Podcast by The Setback Collective - www.setbackcollective.com.au
#bigcallspod #droppedballsandbigcalls #michelemattiuzzi #homeandaway #podcast #resilience #mentalhealth #faith
Monday Sep 22, 2025
Monday Sep 22, 2025
In this solo episode, Jason takes a step back to reflect on the first ten conversations of Dropped Balls and Big Calls. From lessons learned through powerful guest stories to the challenges of starting a podcast from scratch.
He opens up about moments of grief, the importance of authenticity, and why no one’s going to hand you the path, you’ve got to carve it yourself. Along the way, Jason highlights key takeaways that resonated most with listeners and celebrates the growth that comes from showing up and doing the work.
If you’ve been following since the beginning, or you’re just discovering the show, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of the podcast, the stories that mattered most, and what’s ahead for Dropped Balls and Big Calls.
💬 If this podcast has resonated with you, please follow, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen. It helps the show grow and keeps these conversations going.For more, please visit:Dropped Balls & Big Calls | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktreewww.setbackcollective.com.auNeed to get in touch? Email: jason@bigcallspod.com.au#Bigcallspod #Droppedballsandbigcalls #resilience #grief #podcast #reflection
Monday Sep 08, 2025
Monday Sep 08, 2025
What happens when chaos becomes your normal? For Carol Beaumont, living with a partner battling alcoholism forced her to confront addiction, resilience, and self-discovery in ways she never expected.
In this episode of Dropped Balls & Big Calls, Carol shares her raw and inspiring journey, from navigating the emotional toll of living with addiction to creating Her Courage Speaks, a platform that empowers women through storytelling. She opens up about the challenges of leaving, the healing power of community, and the courage it takes to embrace peace after years of chaos.
This conversation is for anyone who’s felt the weight of supporting someone through addiction, or anyone searching for resilience, empowerment, and growth on the other side of hardship.
For more on her courage speaks, please visit https://www.hercourage.co.nz/speaks
#bigcallspod #droppedballsandbigcalls #thesetbackcollective #addiction #resilience #storytelling #women #empowerment #mentalhealth #recovery #courage #community #personalgrowth